Baldwin, Vance Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Safety Standards for Foreign-Made Gas Cylinders and Boost U.S. Manufacturers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and JD Vance (R-OH) introduced legislation, the Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2023, to strengthen safety standards for foreign-made gas cylinders and level the playing field for domestic manufacturers.

“For too long, foreign manufacturers have been held to a lower safety standard when it comes to products that millions of Americans use every day, undercutting Made in America companies and potentially endangering public safety,” said Senator Baldwin. “This commonsense reform will ensure gas cylinders meet the same rigorous standards, no matter where they are made, leveling the playing field for our Wisconsin manufacturers and giving consumers peace of mind that they are safe.”

“This legislation offers a bipartisan, commonsense solution to protect American citizens and level the playing field for domestic manufacturers,” said Senator Vance. “Congress shouldn’t stand idly by as foreign cylinder manufacturers take advantage of loopholes to undermine our supply chains and public safety – it’s time for us to take action.”

Cosponsors of the Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act are Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

The Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2023 would: 

• Create a more level playing field for domestic producers and help prevent foreign manufacturers from selling counterfeit hazmat cylinders, a practice which endangers consumers.
• Hold foreign cylinder manufacturers to higher safety and inspection standards, aligning with the standards U.S. manufacturers abide by.
• Better equip DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) regulators to conduct inspections abroad and terminate authorizations if companies prevent or obstruct them.
• Require foreign manufacturers seeking authorization from PHMSA to certify several items, including, for example, that their cylinders are not manufactured using forced or child labor.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

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